Human antirabies treatment in the United States, 1972.

Data were examined on 965 persons treated in six States (Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, North Dakota, and South Carolina) and New York City in 1972 for possible rabies exposure. Males 10-19 years were found to be the group at greatest risk, and exposures occurred most frequently during the warm months. Dogs, other domestic animals, and wildlife were about equally responsible for human exposures in the six States, but 99% of the exposures in New York City involved dogs. Antirabies postexposure prophylaxis varied markedly among reporting areas and frequently did not follow current recommendations. The mean delay in initiation of treatment after exposure was 4 1/2 days. The mean number of doses of vaccine for treatment was 12; only 10% of the persons treated received antirabies serum.